Badminton is said to have originated around 2000 years ago in Greece and eventually spread across Europe, Asia, and the world. Today, everyone in the world plays badminton, irrespective of age, and both amateurs and professionals engage in this sport.
Badminton is played with a racquet in two categories: singles and doubles. A net divides the courts into two halves, and instead of a ball, a feathered shuttlecock is used, making it a distinctive sport.
Due to the light weight of the shuttlecock, it can be difficult for the players to play outdoors because it can be highly affected by the wind, which is why professional games are played indoors.
During the game, one player must hit the shuttlecock over the net and into their opponent’s court. The play ends when the shuttlecock lands on the ground. Each rally allows only one stroke over the net, and a game of badminton consists of three games, each played to 21 points. There are five variations in badminton: men’s singles, men’s doubles, mixed doubles, women’s singles, and women’s doubles.
Here are the Top 10 basic rules in badminton for beginners to keep in mind while playing badminton:
- Like any other sport, a coin toss will start the game. The winner will first select the sides of the court, while the one who lost the toss will get the remaining option.
- While the game is on players must avoid touching the net with their racquet or the body.
- Players cannot carry or rest the shuttlecock on their racquet.
- Hitting the shuttlecock over the net is not allowed.
- The player should hit the shuttlecock diagonally so that the serve can be valid.
- Players must not touch any lines on the court until the shuttlecock is struck. The shuttlecock must hit below the waist during a serve.
- Winning a rally earns the player a point.
- A player wins a rally when the shuttlecock touches the opponent’s court or if the opponent commits a foul. It can happen when a player is unable to hit the shuttlecock over the net or if the shuttlecock gets landed outside the boundaries of the court.
- Each side will hit the shuttlecock only once before it crosses the net, and it cannot be hit again in a new movement.
- Shuttlecocks that hit the ceilings are considered faults.
With these basic rules of playing badminton, you will be better prepared to play the game. But there are different rules for singles and doubles categories as well let us have a better look at it.
Rules and Regulations of Badminton for Singles
In singles categories, two players compete against each other on opposite sides of the court.
The Serve: The server must keep in mind that while serving it must be executed below the server’s waist. If you serve overarm it will be considered a fault.
Match Format: The match begins with a score of nil, players cannot choose the sides randomly.
The server serves from:
- Right service court: when the server’s score is even
- Left service court: when the server’s score is odd
If the server wins the rally, and scores a point then they will serve from the opposite side. If the receiver wins, and scores a point then they will become the new server, starting from the appropriate sides.
Scoring system:
- Matches consist of the best of three games, each played to 21 points.
- The winner of the previous game will serve first in the new game.
- Points can only be scored when the server wins the rally unless it is replayed.
Faults:
Faults result in the opponent winning the point and a loss of serve.
Common faults include:
- Missing the shuttle while serving.
- Hitting the shuttlecock under the net.
- Hitting the shuttle out of the boundary lines.
- Touching the shuttle, net with any part of the body or clothing.
Rules and Regulations of Badminton for Doubles
Coin Toss: The game starts with a coin toss to determine the sides and who will first serve. The winner will serve first in the next game.
Boundaries: The server must serve from within the white lines diagonally opposite of the service courts.
Match Format: A doubles match begins with a score of 0-0 with the first serve always from the right side.
Switching sides:
- After the end of the first game.
- When the first team scores 11 points in the third game.
Scoring system:
- Matches consist of the best of three games, each played to 21 points.
- The winner of the previous game will serve first in the new game.
- Points can only be scored when the server wins the rally unless it is replayed.
Faults :
Faults result in the opponent winning the point and a loss of serve.
Common faults include:
- Missing the shuttle while serving.
- Hitting the shuttlecock under the net.
- Hitting the shuttle out of the boundary lines.
